Abstract:

A network device management unit manages a first network device,
communicable with a second network device, managed by a counterpart
network device management unit, in a network environment. The network
device management includes a device information storage, a
communication-start information, a network device management information
operation unit, an available function information acquisition unit, and a
display-information generator. The device information storage stores
network device management information of the first network device. The
communication-start information acquisition unit obtains
communication-start information when the first and second network devices
start to communicate. The network device management information operation
unit lets the counterpart network device management unit to obtain the
network device management information of the first network device. The
available function information acquisition unit obtains available
function information of the second network device. The
display-information generator generates networked-device-function
information corresponds to the obtained available function information.

Claims:

1. A network device management unit to manage a first network device
connectable to and operable in a network environment, the first network
device communicable with a second network device disposed on the network
and managed by a counterpart network device management unit, the second
network device used as a counterpart network device for the first network
device,the network device management unit comprising:a device information
storage to store network device management information set for the first
network device;a communication-start information acquisition unit to
obtain communication-start information when the first and second network
devices start to communicate with each other;a network device management
information operation unit to let the counterpart network device
management unit, managing the second network device, obtain the network
device management information of the first network device after the
communication-start information is obtained;an available function
information acquisition unit to obtain available function information,
providable by the second network device managed by the counterpart
network device management unit, after the communication-start information
is obtained; anda display-information generator to generate
networked-device-function information as displayable information based on
the obtained available function information, the
networked-device-function information corresponding to the obtained
available function information.

2. The network device management unit according to claim 1, further
comprising a device management information editor to edit the network
device management information stored in the device information storage.

3. The network device management unit according to claim 1, wherein the
device information storage stores identification information for
identifying the first network device on the network.

4. The network device management unit according to claim 3, wherein the
identification information of first network device is correlated with
information of address and port number on the network set for the first
network device.

5. The network device management unit according to claim 1, wherein the
network environment includes a status monitoring server to monitor the
status of a network device on the network,wherein the status monitoring
server monitors status of the second network device, andwhen the
display-information generator obtains the status information on the
second network device from the status monitoring server, the
display-information generator generates the networked-device-function
information based on the obtained available function information and the
status information on the second network device.

6. The network device management unit according to claim 1, wherein the
display-information generator generates the networked-device-function
information with an activation switch for activating the
networked-device-function corresponding to the available function
information, and the activation switch is displayable with the
networked-device-function information.

7. The network device management unit according to claim 1, wherein the
network device management unit is connected to a communication management
unit via the network,wherein the communication management unit manages
communication of the first network device and the second network device
and transmits the communication-start information,the communication
management unit including a related-information registration unit to
register identification information for identifying the network device
management unit and identification information for identifying the first
network device as related information by correlating the identification
information for the network device management unit and the identification
information for identifying the first network device.

8. The network device management unit according to claim 1, wherein the
network device management unit is connected to a display device to
display the networked-device-function information corresponding to the
available function information providable by the second network device.

9. The network device management unit according to claim 1, wherein the
network device management unit is connected to a signaling server via the
network, the first network device and the second network device start to
communicate with each other after the signaling server conducts a
signaling process, and the communication-start information acquisition
unit obtains the communication-start information upon a notification from
the signaling server.

10. A network device management system to manage communication of network
devices on a network environment, comprising:a first network device
connected to and operated with the network;a first network device
management unit to manage the first network device;a second network
device, connected to and operated with the network, communicable with the
first network device, the second network device being used as a
counterpart network device for the first network device;a second network
device management unit to manage the second network device, the second
network device management unit being used as a counterpart network device
management unit for the first network device management unit;a
communication management unit to notify a communication start between the
first network device and the second network device to the first network
device management unit,wherein the first network device management unit
comprises:a device information storage to store network device management
information set for the first network device;a network device management
information transmitting unit to transmit the network device management
information of the first network device to the second network device
management unit upon a notification from the communication management
unit;an available function information acquisition unit to obtain
available function information, providable by the second network device
unit, upon a notification from the communication management unit; anda
display-information generator to generate networked-device-function
information as displayable information based on the obtained available
function information, the networked-device-function information
corresponding to the obtained available function information.

11. The network device management system according to claim 10, wherein
the communication management unit includes a related-information storage
to store related-information correlating the first network device
management unit and the first network device, and when the communication
management unit recognizes start of communication between the first
network device and the second network device, the communication
management unit notifies the start of communication between the first
network device and the second network device to the first network device
management unit by referring the related-information.

12. The network device management system according to claim 11, wherein
the first network device management unit transmits identification
information for identifying the first network device management unit and
identification information for identifying the first network device to
the communication management unit,when the communication management unit
receives the identification information for the first network device
management unit and the identification information for the first network
device, the communication management unit stores the identification
information for the first network device management unit and the
identification information for the first network device as the related
information in the related-information storage.

13. The network device management system according to claim 12, further
comprising a verification information storage to store verification
information of the first network device,wherein the communication
management unit obtains the verification information of the first network
device from the first network device management unit, checks management
authority of the first network device by comparing the verification
information stored in the verification information storage and the
verification information obtained from the first network device
management unit, and stores the related information to the
related-information storage when the communication management unit
verifies the management authority of the first network device based on
the comparison of verification information.

14. The network device management system according to claim 11, further
comprising a signaling server on the network,wherein the first network
device and the second network device start to communicate with each other
after the signaling server conducts a signaling process, andthe
communication management unit recognizes the start of communication
between the first network device and the second network device after the
signaling server conducts the signaling process.

15. The network device management system according to claim 10, wherein
the display-information generator generates an activation switch for
requesting operation of the networked-device-function as displayable
information for activating the networked-device-function corresponding to
the available function information, andthe display-information generator
generates the networked-device-function information with the activation
switch for activating the networked-device-function corresponding to the
available function information of the second network device, managed by
the second network device management unit.

16. The network device management system according to claim 15, further
comprising a signaling server on the network,wherein the first network
device and the second network device start to communicate with each other
after the signaling server conducts a signaling process,the
display-information generator generates the networked-device-function
information with the activation switch, in which start of communication
is requestable to the signaling server by operating the activation
switch, andwhen the signaling server receives the request of start of
communication, the signaling server requests activation of the
networked-device-function to the second network device managed by the
second network device management unit.

17. A communication management unit for managing communication between a
first network device and a second network device connected to and
operated with a network environment, the first network device and the
second network device managed respectively by a first network device
management unit and a second network device management unit, the
communication management unit, comprising:a communication-start
information acquisition unit to obtain communication-start information
indicating start of communication between the first network device and
second network device; anda communication-start information transmitting
unit to transmit the communication-start information to at least one of
the first network device management unit and the second network device
management unit after the communication-start information is obtained.

18. The communication management unit according to claim 17, further
comprising a related-information storage storing related-information
correlating the first network device management unit and the first
network device, and related-information correlating the second network
device management unit and the second network device,wherein when the
communication-start information acquisition unit obtains the
communication-start information, the communication-start information
transmitting unit transmits the communication-start information to at
least one of the first network device management unit and the second
network device management unit by referring the related-information.

19. The communication management unit according to claim 18, wherein the
communication management unit is connected to a signaling server via the
network,wherein the first network device and the second network device
start to communicate with each other after the signaling server conducts
a signaling process, andthe communication-start information acquisition
unit obtains the communication-start information after the signaling
server conducts the signaling process.

Description:

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001]This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No.
2008-252631, filed on Sep. 30, 2008 in the Japan Patent Office, which is
hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002]1. Field of the Invention

[0003]The present invention relates to a network device management unit, a
network device management system, and a communication management unit,
and more particularly, to consolidated management of devices connectable
to each other and operable in a network environment.

[0004]2. Description of the Background Art

[0005]Recently, Internet telephony technology, connecting at least two
telephone units via an IP network (Internet Protocol network), has become
available. For example, VoIP (Voice over IP) can be used for IP phone
communication between telephone units. VoIP is implemented by SIP
(Session Initiation Protocol), H.323, or the like. SIP in particularly is
widely applicable not only to VoIP but also to other real-time
communication systems that use signaling control process.

[0006]Further, SIP will be adopted as the standard protocol for a
so-called NGN (Next Generation Network), which is now undergoing
standardization. SIP is used to start a communication between terminal
devices, or one terminal device and a server, in an NGN environment. In
the NGN environment, terminal devices such as a telephone or the like may
be controlled or managed by SIP. With such configuration, multiple
services can be seamlessly organized.

[0007]For example, in households, a cell-phone can be used as a cordless
handset of a land-line phone, by which a service charge can be reduced.
Further, a triple play service such as using TV phones, viewing image
contents, and viewing a web page at the same time can be made available.

[0008]JP-2006-135954-A discusses a method of providing services by using
signaling control, in which a television conference system is devised by
combining a voice communication device, connected to a telephone network,
and a video/image communication device, connected to a public line
network such as the Internet.

[0010]Recently, several services such as telephone, facsimile, IM (instant
messenger), and television conferencing can be implemented using SIP and
communication devices such as a real-time communication device. The
number or types of such communication devices is increasing, providing
users with a variety of services to increase user convenience for
information handling. However, because such communication devices are
provided by multiple vendors, it becomes difficult to set up a more
effective communication environment that can link these various services.

[0011]For example, typically available television conference systems use a
voice communication system and a video/image communication system as one
combination. However, the voice communication system and the video/image
communication system are typically provided by multiple vendors using
unique systems, by which a television conference system composed of a
combination of multiple systems may be hard to implement. Further, with
the above-mentioned triple-play service, each household must install a
set-top-box having the same functions.

[0012]JP-2006-135954-A and JP-2006-319697-A disclose methods of providing
one service by linking a plurality of different devices. However,
JP-2006-135954-A aims for a TV phone, which combines a telephone and a
television, and therefore devices other than telephones and televisions
may not be employed in such system. Further, JP-2006-319697-A requires
that special processing is carried out by each device.

SUMMARY

[0013]In one aspect of the present invention, a network device management
unit is devised. The network device management unit manages a first
network device connectable to and operable in a network environment. The
first network device is communicable with a second network device,
disposed on the network and managed by a counterpart network device
management unit. The second network device used as a counterpart network
device for the first network device. The network device management
includes a device information storage, a communication-start information,
a network device management information operation unit, an available
function information acquisition unit, and a display-information
generator. The device information storage stores network device
management information set for the first network device. The
communication-start information acquisition unit obtains
communication-start information when the first and second network devices
start to communicate with each other. The network device management
information operation unit lets the counterpart network device management
unit, managing the second network device, obtain the network device
management information of the first network device after the
communication-start information is obtained. The available function
information acquisition unit obtains available function information,
providable by the second network device managed by the counterpart
network device management unit, after the communication-start information
is obtained. The display-information generator generates
networked-device-function information as displayable information based on
the obtained available function information. The
networked-device-function information corresponds to the obtained
available function information.

[0014]In another aspect of the present invention, a network device
management system to manage communication of network devices on a network
environment is devised. The network device management system includes a
first network device, a first network device management unit, a second
network device, a second network device management unit, and a
communication management unit. The first network device is connected to
and operated with the network. The first network device management unit
manages the first network device. The second network device, connected to
and operated with the network, is communicable with the first network
device. The second network device is used as a counterpart network device
for the first network device. The second network device management unit
manages the second network device. The second network device management
unit is used as a counterpart network device management unit for the
first network device management unit. The communication management unit
notifies a communication start between the first network device and the
second network device to the first network device management unit. The
first network device management unit includes a device information
storage, a network device management information transmitting unit, an
available function information acquisition unit, and a
display-information generator. The device information storage stores
network device management information set for the first network device.
The network device management information transmitting unit transmits the
network device management information of the first network device to the
second network device management unit upon a notification from the
communication management unit. The available function information
acquisition unit obtains available function information, providable by
the second network device unit, upon a notification from the
communication management unit. The display-information generator
generates networked-device-function information as displayable
information based on the obtained available function information, the
networked-device-function information corresponds to the available
function information.

[0015]In another aspect of the present invention, a communication
management unit for managing communication between a first network device
and a second network device connected to and operated with a network
environment is devised. The first network device and the second network
device are managed respectively by a first network device management unit
and a second network device management unit. The communication management
unit includes a communication-start information acquisition unit, and a
communication-start information transmitting unit. The
communication-start information acquisition unit obtains
communication-start information indicating start of communication between
the first network device and second network device. The
communication-start information transmitting unit transmits the
communication-start information to at least one of the first network
device management unit and the second network device management unit
after the communication-start information is obtained.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016]A more complete appreciation of the disclosure and many of the
attendant advantages and features thereof can be readily obtained and
understood from the following detailed description with reference to the
accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0017]FIG. 1 illustrates an example configuration of communication
management system according to a first example embodiment;

[0035]FIG. 19 shows a sequence chart of example operation process
operation of the communication management system according to a third
example embodiment; and

[0036]FIG. 20 shows a configuration of communication management system
according to a fourth example embodiment.

[0037]The accompanying drawings are intended to depict exemplary
embodiments of the present invention and should not be interpreted to
limit the scope thereof. The accompanying drawings are not to be
considered as drawn to scale unless explicitly noted, and identical or
similar reference numerals designate identical or similar components
throughout the several views.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0038]A description is now given of exemplary embodiments of the present
invention. It should be noted that although such terms as first, second,
etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components,
regions, layers and/or sections, it should be understood that such
elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections are not limited
thereby because such terms are relative, that is, used only to
distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another
region, layer or section. Thus, for example, a first element, component,
region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second
element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the
teachings of the present invention.

[0039]In addition, it should be noted that the terminology used herein is
for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not
intended to be limiting of the present invention. Thus, for example, as
used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to
include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates
otherwise. Moreover, the terms "includes" and/or "including", when used
in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the
presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps,
operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

[0040]Furthermore, although in describing expanded views shown in the
drawings, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity, the
present disclosure is not limited to the specific terminology so selected
and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all
technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner.

[0041]Referring now to the drawings, a communication management system
according to an exemplary embodiment is described.

[0042]In a first example embodiment, a description is given to a
communication management system, which can conduct a consolidated
management for communication devices coupled or connected to different or
multiple networks.

[0043]FIG. 1 shows one example configuration for a communication
management system according to a first example embodiment. For example,
three networks A, B, and C are coupled or connected to each other via a
public line network (e.g., the Internet). Each of the networks A and B
may be used as a user's network, in which a user may use services
providable by the communication management system. The network C may be
used as a system provider's network, which provides functions to perform
the communication management system.

[0044]The network C may include a SIP server (session initiation protocol
server) server 1, a service management server 2, a presence server 3, and
a user information DB (data base) 4, which are coupled or connected each
other, for example.

[0045]The SIP server 1 controls an establishment of signaling and session
when network devices included in the networks A and B start to
communicate information. Accordingly, the SIP server 1 may function as a
signaling server. The SIP server 1 stores URI (uniform resource
identifier), which can uniquely identify a given address of destination
on the network, and information of IP address and port number associated
to the URI. Such information of IP address and port number associated to
the URI may be referred to as URI solution information, hereinafter.
Accordingly, the SIP server 1 can recognize IP address and port number
based on the URI solution information. The network devices included in
the network A may be connected each other, and the network devices
included in the network B may be connected each other. Further, the
network devices included in the networks A and B may be connected each
other via networks. Accordingly, network devices can be connected each
other within one network and over other network, for example.

[0046]The service management server 2 manages information of network
devices included in each the network A and B. The service management
server 2 will be described in detail later.

[0047]The presence server 3 monitors status of network devices included in
the networks A and B. Accordingly, the presence server 3 may function as
a status-monitoring server.

[0048]The user information DB 4 stores user names and corresponding
passwords assigned to each one of network devices included in the
networks A and B, as required. In FIG. 1, the user information DB 4 is
disposed as an independent device in the network C. However, the user
information DB 4 can be integrated with the SIP server 1, for example.

[0049]The network A may include a PC (personal computer) 5a, an IP phone
6a, and a web camera 7a, which are coupled or connected each other, for
example. Further, the network B may include a PC 5b, an IP phone 6b, and
a web camera 7b, which are coupled or connected each other, for example.
Hereinafter, the PC 5a, the IP phone 6a, and the web camera 7a included
in the network A are explained. The PC 5b, the IP phone 6b, and the web
camera 7b included in the network B function similarly as the PC 5a, the
IP phone 6a, and the web camera 7a.

[0050]The PC 5a is an information-processing terminal, which is used by a
user, who uses network devices connected to the network A. FIG. 2 shows a
hardware configuration of the PC 5a. As shown in FIG. 2, the PC 5a may
include a configuration as similar to a typical information processing
terminal.

[0051]For example, the PC 5a may include a CPU (central processing unit)
10, a RAM (random access memory) 20, a ROM (read only memory) 30, a HDD
(hard disk drive) 40, and an I/F (interface) 50, which are coupled or
connected each other via a bus 80. Further, the I/F 50 may be coupled or
connected to a LCD (liquid crystal display) 60, and an operation unit 70,
for example.

[0052]The CPU 10 is used as a computing unit, and controls the PC 5a as a
whole. The RAM 20 is a volatile memory, to which information can be read
and written at a higher speed, and used as a working memory when the CPU
10 processes information. The ROM 30 is a non-volatile memory, which can
be used as a read only memory, in which a program such as firmware may be
stored. The HDD 40 is a non-volatile memory, to which information can be
read and written, and may store OS (operating system), various control
programs, application programs, for example.

[0053]The I/F 50 connects the bus 80 and various hardwares and networks,
and controls information communication. The LCD 60 is used as a visual
user interface, by which a user can check status of the PC 5a. The
operation unit 70 may be used as a, by which a user can input information
to the PC 5a, wherein the user interface may include a key board, a
mouse, or the like.

[0054]In such hardware configuration, a program stored in a memory (e.g.,
ROM 30, HDD 40, optical disk) is read on the RAM 20, and then the CPU 10
executes the program. By combining software and hardware control, the PC
5a can establish a functional block to realize its designed function.
Further, the service management server 2 may include a hardware
configuration as similar to FIG. 2, but user interfaces such as LCD 60
and operation unit 70 can be omitted.

[0055]A description is now given to a functional configuration of the PC
5a with reference to FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, the PC 5a may include a
controller 100 and a viewer 110, for example. The controller 100 may
consolidatedly manage network devices coupled to the network A.
Accordingly, the controller 100 may function as a network device
management unit. The controller 100 may function as the network device
management unit when the CPU 10 executes a program loaded on the RAM 20
(see FIG. 2).

[0056]As shown in FIG. 3, the controller 100 may include a communication
device information storage 101. The communication device information
storage 101 is used as a database for storing information of network
devices coupled to the network A. Accordingly, the communication device
information storage 101 may function as a devise information storage for
storing devise information. The device information storage may be
configured as the HDD 40 as shown in FIG. 2, for example.

[0057]As shown in FIG. 4, the communication device information storage 101
may store information related to communication devices, which may be
referred to as communication device information, hereinafter. As shown in
FIG. 4, the communication device information storage 101 may store
communication device information such as type name, device name, service
name, media type, URI, user name and corresponding password, for example.
The URI include identification information to uniquely identify a
combination of address and port number in a network.

[0058]In FIG. 4, information of the viewer 110, IP phone 6a, and web
camera 7a are registered, for example. A user can add, delete, and change
communication device information shown in FIG. 4 by using the PC 5a. With
such a configuration, a network device can be added to the communication
management system; a network device can be deleted from the communication
management system; a network device to be connected to the communication
management system can be changed; and information of connected network
device can be registered.

[0059]In such configuration, the controller 100 may function as a device
management information editor. The controller 100 may function as the
device management information editor when the CPU 10 executes a program
loaded on the RAM 20 (see FIG. 2).

[0060]The viewer 110 can display an image taken by a web camera connected
to another network when the SIP server 1 conducts signaling. For example,
the viewer 110 installed in the PC5a in the network A may display an
image taken by the web camera 7b included in the network B. Although the
controller 100 and the viewer 110 are disposed in the PC 5a, the
controller 100 and the viewer 110 can be separately disposed in different
apparatuses.

[0061]The IP phone 6a can conduct voice communication with another IP
phone when the SIP server 1 conducts signaling. The web camera 7a can
transmit an image to a viewer connected to another network when the SIP
server 1 conducts signaling. For example, the web camera 7a disposed in
the network A may transmit an image to a viewer installed in the PC 5b
disposed in the network B.

[0062]Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a voice communication can be realized
by the IP phone 6a. Further, an application of voice communication can be
installed in the PC 5a. As such, the voice communication function can be
installed in the PC 5a as similar to installing the viewer 110 in the PC
5a.

[0063]Each of network devices coupled or connected to the network A may
store device-setting information respectively. In the above-described
configuration, the controller 100 and the viewer 110 may be installed in
same terminal device such as PC 5a. Because the controller 100 and the
viewer 110 provide different functions, the controller 100 and the viewer
110 will be explained as different network devices.

[0065]As shown in FIG. 5A, device-setting information may include
information of device name, service type to be provided by device, URI,
IP address, port number, user name and corresponding password, for
example.

[0066]A description is now given to an operation of the communication
management system. In the communication management system, based on
communication device information stored in the communication device
information storage 101, the controller 100 registers information, which
correlates the controller 100 and other network devices, to the service
management server 2. Hereinafter, such information is referred to as
related-information. A registration process of related-information is
described with reference to FIG. 6.

[0067]FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of registration process of
related-information, in which the service management server 2 registers
related-information with a request from the controller 100. The processes
shown in FIG. 6 may be conducted in response to a request from the
controller 100 installed in the PC 5a and PC 5b.

[0068]At step S601, the service management server 2 receives a
registration request from the controller 100.

[0069]Accordingly, the controller 100 may function as a
related-information registration unit. The controller 100 may function as
the related-information registration unit when the CPU 10 executes a
program loaded on the RAM 20 (see FIG. 2).

[0070]At step S601, the service management server 2 receives the
registration request, which may include URI information of the controller
100, and URI information of network devices stored in the communication
device information storage 101, wherein the network devices are managed
or controlled by the controller 100. When the service management server 2
receives the registration request, the service management server 2 checks
user name and corresponding password of the network devices to confirm
whether the controller 100 has management authority of each of network
devices at step S602.

[0071]At step S602, the service management server 2 refers to the user
information DB 4 to check and verify user name and corresponding
password. FIG. 7 shows example information stored in the user information
DB 4. As shown in FIG. 7, the user information DB 4 stores information of
device name, user name and corresponding password, for example.
Accordingly, the user information DB 4 may function as a verification
information storage. Information shown in FIG. 7 may be registered by a
user in advance, and used to communicate each of network devices each
other using the SIP server 1. The user name and corresponding password
can be checked using HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) Digest
Authentication or the like, for example.

[0072]If the user name and corresponding password are checked at step S602
and verified at step S603 (Yes at step S603), the service management
server 2 correlates URI information of the controller 100, which is a
source of registration request, and URI information of a network device
verified by the step S603, and stores such related-information at step
S604, and ends the process.

[0073]On one hand, if the user name and corresponding password are not
verified at step S603 (No at step S603), the service management server 2
determines that an error occurs at step S605, and ends the process,
without registering URI information.

[0074]FIG. 8 shows example related-information stored at S604 in FIG. 6.
As shown in FIG. 8, the service management server 2 stores
related-information, which correlates URI of the controller 100 and URI
of the network devices managed by the controller 100. With such a
configuration, when one of network devices starts a communication
process, a communication notice can be informed to the controller 100,
which manages the concerned network device. In such configuration, the
service management server 2 may function as a related-information
storage. The service management server 2 may function as the
related-information storage when the CPU 10 executes a program loaded on
the RAM 20 (see FIG. 2).

[0075]A description is now given to one example operation process of the
communication management system. In an example embodiment, when the IP
phone 6a and the IP phone 6b start a voice communication, the controller
100 in the PC 5a, and the controller 100 in 5b may display available
services, and may start a video/ image communication using a web camera.
In the present invention, the terms of available service and available
function may be interchangeably used.

[0076]FIG. 9 shows a sequence chart of one example operation process of
the communication management system, in which the IP phone 6a may be used
as a process-initiation terminal, which transmits a given signal at
first. As shown in FIG. 9, the IP phone 6a transmits a session request to
the SIP server 1 (step S901). At step S901, the IP phone 6a conducts the
session request by notifying URI of the IP phone 6a, and URI of the IP
phone 6b to the SIP server 1, in which the IP phone 6b is a counterpart
phone unit for the IP phone 6a, which requests a start of communication
with the IP phone 6b.

[0077]After receiving the session request, the SIP server 1 obtains IP
address and port number corresponding to the notified URI from the URI
solution information stored in the SIP server 1, and then the SIP server
1 transmits a session notification to the IP phones 6a and 6b (step
S902). With such a process, the IP phones 6a and 6b start a communication
(step S903, S904). When the IP phones 6a and 6b start communication, the
SIP server 1 stores URI information of the IP phones 6a and 6b as
information of terminal devices that are under communication as shown in
FIG. 10. Such terminal devices may be referred communication-in-progress
device.

[0078]Then, The SIP server 1 notifies the start of communication between
the IP phones 6a and IP phone 6b to the service management server 2 (step
S905). At step S905, the service management server 2 may function as a
communication-start information acquisition unit. The service management
server 2 may function as the communication-start information acquisition
unit when the CPU 10 executes a program loaded on the RAM 20 (see FIG.
2).

[0079]At step S905, the SIP server 1 transmits information, shown in FIG.
10, to the service management server 2 to notify the start of
communication between the IP phones 6a and 6b. When the service
management server 2 receives a notification of the start of
communication, the service management server 2 refers to the
related-information shown in FIG. 8 to obtain URI information of the
controller 100, which controls or manages the IP phone 6a or IP phone 6b.

[0080]In an example embodiment, the controller 100 installed in the PC 5a
controls the IP phone 6a and has a

[0081]URI of "sip:controller1@xxx.co.jp." Further, the controller 100
installed in the PC 5b controls the IP phone 6b and has a URI of
"sip:controller2@xxx.co.jp." Hereinafter, the controller 100 installed in
the PC 5a may be referred to as the controller 100a, and the controller
100 installed in the PC 5b may be referred to as the controller 100b.

[0082]When the service management server 2 obtains URI information of the
controller 100a and the controller 100b, the service management server 2
notifies the start of communication between the IP phones 6a and 6b to
the controller 100a and the controller 100b (step S906). At step S906,
the service management server 2 notifies the information shown in FIG. 10
and URI information of counterpart controller. The controller 100a and
the controller 100b are counterpart controllers each other. Accordingly,
at step S906, the service management server 2 may function as a
communication-start information transmitting unit. The service management
server 2 may function as the communication-start information transmitting
unit when the CPU 10 executes a program loaded on the RAM 20 (see FIG.
2).

[0083]Accordingly, at step S906, the service management server 2 notifies
the information shown in FIG. 10 and URI information of the controller
100b to the controller 100a; and also the service management server 2
notifies the information shown in FIG. 10 and URI information of the
controller 100a to the controller 100b. Information obtained by the
controllers 100a and 100b at step S906 can be used as communication-start
information. Accordingly, the controllers 100a and 100b may function as a
communication-start information acquisition unit. The controllers 100a
and 100b may function as the communication-start information acquisition
unit when the CPU 10 executes a program loaded on the RAM 20 (see FIG.
2).

[0084]Further, at step S906, the service management server 2 obtains IP
address and port number of the controller 100a and the controller 100b
from the SIP server 1 based on URI information of the controller 100a and
the controller 100b, by which the service management server 2 can
transmit information to the controller 100a and the controller 100b.

[0085]After receiving notification of communication-start between the IP
phones 6a and 6b from the service management server 2, the controller
100a and the controller 100b exchange information of network devices
managed by the controller 100a and the controller 100b (step S907, S908).
For example, the controller 100a transmits information of network devices
managed by the controller 100a to the controller 100b, and the controller
100b transmits information of network devices managed by the controller
100b to the controller 100a. At steps S907 and S908, the controllers 100a
and 100b exchange information of communication device (referred to as
communication device information) shown in FIG. 4, which is managed by
the controller 100a and the controller 100b.

[0086]In an example case of FIG. 9, the IP phone 6a and the IP phone 6b
has started a communication. Accordingly, the network B is a counter
network for the network A; the network A is a counter network for the
network B; the controller 100b is a counter network device management
unit for the controller 100a; and the controller 100a is a counter
network device management unit for the controller 100b.

[0088]With such a configuration, the controller 100a can recognize
available services of network devices managed by the controller 100b by
communicating with the controller 100b. Further, the controller 100b can
recognize available services of network devices managed by the controller
100a by communicating with the controller 100a. Accordingly, the
controllers 100a and 100b may function as a available function
information acquisition unit. The controllers 100a and 100b may function
as the available function information acquisition unit when the CPU 10
executes a program loaded on the RAM 20 (see FIG. 2). Communication
device information exchanged in steps S907 and S908 may preferably be
information other than user name and corresponding password shown in FIG.
4 in view of network security.

[0089]At steps S907 and S908, the controller 100a obtains IP address and
port number of the controller 100b by referring URI information of
controller 100b from the SIP server 1, by which the controller 100a can
transmit information to the controller 100b; the controller 100b obtains
IP address and port number of the controller 100a by referring URI
information of controller 100a from the SIP server 1, by which the
controller 100b can transmit information to the controller 100a.

[0090]The controllers 100a and 100b receive communication device
information related to the counterpart controller. Then, the controller
100a may identify a given communication device managed by the counterpart
controller, which is communicable with a communication device managed by
the controller 100a based on "media type" information shown in FIG. 4;
the controller 100b may identify a given communication device managed by
the counterpart controller, which is communicable with a communication
device managed by the controller 100b based on "media type" information
shown in FIG. 4. For example, a media type of the viewer 110 (device
name: Viewer 1), managed by the controller 100a, is "video/passive."
Accordingly, the controller 100a determines that the viewer 110 can
communicate with the web camera 7b (device name: NetCam 2) having a media
type of "video/active" managed by the controller 100b (counterpart
controller). Further, the controller 100a determines that the web camera
7a (device name: NetCam 1) having a media type of "video/active" can
communicate with the viewer 110 (device name: Viewer 2) having a media
type of "video/passive"managed by the controller 100b (counterpart
controller).

[0091]Similarly, a media type of the viewer 110 (device name: Viewer 2),
managed by the controller 100b, is "video/passive." Accordingly, the
controller 100b determines that the viewer 110 can communicate with the
web camera 7a (device name: NetCam 1) having a media type of
"video/active" managed by the controller 100a (counterpart controller).
Further, the controller 100b determines that the web camera 7b (device
name: NetCam 2) having a media type of "video/active" can communicate
with the viewer 110 (device name: Viewer 1) having a media type of
"video/passive"managed by the controller 100a (counterpart controller).

[0092]If a network device such as for example web camera 7a is in off-line
condition due to power-off or connection shutdown, a video/image
communication service cannot be provided. The controllers 100a and 100b
access the presence server 3 to check status of each of network devices.
With such configuration, the controllers 100a and 100b can determine
whether each of communication devices is in a communication-enable
condition.

[0093]When the controller 100b receives the communication device
information from the controller 100a, and recognizes available services
as above described, the controller 100b displays content of available
services on the LCD 60 of the PC 5b based on received communication
device information (step S909). Further, when the controller 100a
receives the communication device information from the controller 100b,
and recognizes available services as above described, the controller 100a
displays content of available services on the LCD 60 of the PC 5a based
on received communication device information (step S910). Accordingly,
the controllers 100a and 100b may function as a display-information
generator. The controllers 100a and 100b may function as the
display-information generator when the CPU 10 executes a program loaded
on the RAM 20 (see FIG. 2).

[0094]FIG. 11 shows an example GUI (graphical user interface), which may
be displayed at steps S909 and S910. FIG. 11 shows example GUI for the
controller 100. As shown in FIG. 11, GUI of the controller 100 may
include status information of a network device, registered as
communication device information, and a display portion, which may
display information of services available to use, for example. With such
a configuration, a user can easily recognize available services after a
voice communication using the IP phone 6 has started. Such available
services may be referred to as networked-device-function, as required.
Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the GUI of the controller 100 may include
an interface portion to display an edit screen, which may be used to edit
communication device information shown in FIG. 4.

[0095]A user can select a networked-device-function by pressing a start
button set for the networked-device-function shown in GUI of FIG. 11. For
example, a networked-device-function can be executed by clicking a start
button set for the networked-device-function. The start button may be
used as an "activation switch" to activate the networked-device-function.
As such, networked-device-function information may be displayed with
corresponding activation switch, for example.

[0096]When a user instructs a start of video/image communication by
operating the PC 5a, the viewer 110 of PC 5a transmits a connection
request to the SIP server 1 based on an instruction of the controller
100a (step S911). At step S911, the viewer 110 requests a connection
request to the SIP server 1 by notifying URI information of the
controller 100a and URI information of the web camera 7b. The controller
100a may control the viewer 110 using COM (component object model), for
example.

[0097]When the SIP server 1 receives the connection request, the SIP
server 1 obtains IP address and port number corresponding to the notified
URI by referring the URI solution information stored in the SIP server 1.
Then, the SIP server 1 conducts a session notification to the viewer 110
of PC 5a (hereinafter, the viewer 110a) and the web camera 7b (step
S912), by which the viewer 110a and the web camera 7b can start to
communicate with each other (step S913, S914).

[0098]Further, to conduct an interactive video/image communication, the
SIP server 1, which receives the connection request, conducts a session
notification to the viewer 110 of PC 5b (hereinafter, the viewer 110b)
and the web camera 7a (step S912), by which the viewer 110b and the web
camera 7a can start to communicate with each other (step S915, S916).

[0099]As above described, in the communication management system according
to an example embodiment, the service management server 2 can manage
linking of network devices without installing special function to network
devices (e.g., PC) used by users. Accordingly, by using the communication
management system according to an example embodiment, a network
configuration that can link multiple different devices having different
communication services can be realized with a simpler configuration.

[0100]In the above-described example embodiment, a viewer, an IP phone and
a web camera are used as network devices. However, other network devices,
which can provide given service via a network can be similarly used as
network devices. Further, as above described, an application (e.g.,
viewer 110) installed in PC can be managed or controlled as a network
device.

[0101]Further, in the above-described example embodiment, when the SIP
server 1 receives a connection request from the viewer 110a of PC 5a, a
communication between the viewer 110a and the web camera 7b, and a
communication between the viewer 110b and the web camera 7a can be
started by using SIP server 1 at step S912. Such process can be conducted
by including a connection request between the viewer 110b and the web
camera 7a to a connection request from the viewer 110a. Further, an
interactive video/image communication can be started using a given
function of the service management server 2. A description is now given
to such interactive video/image communication using a given function of
the service management server 2 with reference to FIG. 12.

[0102]FIG. 12 shows a sequence chart of another example operation process
of the communication management system, in which process is conducted in
a different manner compared to the sequence chart of FIG. 9 after step
S911. FIG. 12 shows steps after S910 because steps S901 to S909 shown in
FIG. 9 are similarly processed.

[0103]When the viewer 110a of PC 5a transmits a connection request (step
S911), and the viewer 110a and the web camera 7b start to communicate
with each other under the control of SIP server 1 (step S912, S913,
S914), the SIP server 1 transmits start of communication to the service
management server 2 (step S1201). At step S1201, the SIP server 1
notifies URI information of the viewer 110a and URI information of the
web camera 7b to the service management server 2.

[0104]Then, the service management server 2 refers to the
related-information shown in FIG. 8 to obtain URI information of the
controller 100b, which controls the web camera 7b that has started a
communication. Then, the service management server 2 notifies to the
controller 100b of the PC 5b that the viewer 110a and the web camera 7b
have started a video/image communication (step S1202). At step S1202, the
service management server 2 obtains IP address and port number assigned
to the controller 100b from the SIP server 1 based on URI information of
the controller 100b, and notifies the start of communication to the
controller 100b.

[0105]The controller 100b, which has received a start of video/image
communication, controls the viewer 110b in the PC5b, and transmits a
connection request for connecting the viewer 110b with the web camera 7a
to the SIP server 1. The viewer 110b transmits a connection request with
the web camera 7a to the SIP server 1 under a control of the controller
100b (step S1203). At step S1203, the viewer 110b notifies URI
information of the viewer 110b and URI information of the web camera 7a
to the SIP server 1.

[0106]When the SIP server 1 receives the connection request from the
viewer 110b, the SIP server 1 obtains IP address and port number
corresponding to the notified URI by referring the URI solution
information stored in the SIP server 1. Then, the SIP server 1 conducts a
session notification to the viewer 110b and the web camera 7a (step
S1204), by which the viewer 110b and the web camera 7a can start to
communicate with each other (step S1205, 1206). With such processing, an
interactive video/image communication can be easily started as similar to
the above-described communication process shown in FIG. 9.

[0107]In the first example embodiment, the controller 100 is installed in
the PC connected to network devices. In a second example embodiment, the
controller 100 is provided in a web server. In the first and second
example embodiments, same or similar reference numbers or characters are
used for same or similar units, devices, or the like. A description of
the second example embodiment is described hereinafter with reference to
FIGS. 13 to 16.

[0108]FIG. 13 shows an example configuration of the communication
management system according to the second example embodiment. As shown in
FIG. 13, the communication management system may include a web server 8,
which is different from the communication management system shown in FIG.
1. In FIG. 13, the web server 8 may be coupled or connected to a network,
which is different from any one of the networks A, B, and C, for example.
However, the web server 8 can be included in the network C, which is used
as a network for service system provider, for example. Further, in the
second example embodiment, a SIP/service management server 12 is provided
instead of the SIP server 1 and the service management server 2, wherein
the SIP/service management server 12 may include both functions of the
SIP server 1 and the service management server 2.

[0109]In the second example embodiment, the controller 100 is installed to
the web server 8, which is different from the first example embodiment.
In such a configuration, a user may use a browser installed in the PC 5a
and PC 5b to access the web server 8, by which the user can operate the
controller 100.

[0110]FIG. 14 shows a functional configuration of the PC 5a. The PC 5b may
also have a similar functional configuration. As shown in FIG. 14, the PC
5a may include the viewer 110, a browser 120 and an IM (instant
messenger) 130, for example. The viewer 110, the browser 120 and the IM
130 can be used by installing given applications, prepared for each of
functions, in the PC 5a, for example.

[0111]The browser 120 is a software to access the web server 8 or the like
to view website. As above described, in the second example embodiment, a
function of the controller 100 may be provided from a website. A user may
use the browser 120 installed in the PC 5a to use functions of the
controller 100. Accordingly, the user accesses the web server 8 via the
browser 120 to register the communication device information (see FIG. 4)
to the controller 100 disposed in the web server 8.

[0112]The IM 130 of PC 5a may communicate with the IM 130 of PC 5b
(counterpart PC) via the SIP/service management server 12 to communicate
message information. Such message information exchange may be conducted
using MSRP (message session relay protocol) or the like, for example.

[0113]A description is now given to a functional configuration of the web
server 8 according to the second example embodiment with reference to
FIG. 15. As shown in FIG. 15, the web server 8 may include the controller
100a and the controller 100b, for example. The controllers 100a and 100b
may include functions similar to the first example embodiment, and
respectively control network devices coupled to the networks A and B. The
web server 8 may include a hardware configuration as similar to the
configuration shown in FIG. 2. However, user interfaces such as LCD 60,
operation unit 70, or the like can be omitted from the web server 8.

[0114]The controllers 100a and 100b may include the communication device
information storage 101a and 101b, used as storage to store information
to be used for controlling or managing network devices. The communication
device information storage 101a and 101b may store information of network
devices (see FIG. 4) included in the networks A and B. For example, the
communication device information storage 101a stores information of
communication device such as the IP phone 6a and the web camera 7a shown
in FIG. 13, and the viewer 110, the browser 120 and the IM 130 shown in
FIG. 14. Such communication device may also be referred to as network
device.

[0115]A description is now given to another example operation process of
the communication management system according to the second example
embodiment.

[0116]After the IM 130 of the PC 5a (hereinafter, IM 130a) and the IM 130
of PC 5b (hereinafter, IM 130b) start to communicate with each other, the
communication management system can be switched to voice communication
condition, for example. Such switching function is described with
reference to FIG. 16.

[0117]FIG. 16 shows a sequence chart of another example operation process
of the communication management system, in which the IM 130a installed in
the PC 5a may be used as a process-initiation terminal, which transmits a
given signal at first. As shown in FIG. 16, the IM 130a transmits a
session request to the SIP/service management server 12 (step S1601).
Step S1601 is substantially same as step S901 of the first example
embodiment.

[0118]When the SIP/service management server 12 receives the session
request from the IM 130a, the SIP/service management server 12 conducts a
session notification to the IM 130a and the IM 130b (step S1602), which
is substantially same as step S902, by which the IM 130a and the IM 130b
can start to communicate with each other (step S1603, S1604). When the IM
130a and the IM 130b start the communication, the SIP/service management
server 12 stores URI information of the IM 130a and the IM 130b as
information for indicating terminal devices that is communicating
presently, wherein such communication-in-progress device may be shown as
information as similar to FIG. 10.

[0119]When the SIP/service management server 12 stores URI information of
the IM 130a and the IM 130b, the SIP/service management server 12 refers
to the related-information shown in FIG. 8 to obtain URI information of
the controllers 100a and 100b, which respectively control or manage the
IM 130a and the IM 130b. Then, the SIP/service management server 12
notifies to the controllers 100a and 100b, configured in the web server
8, that the IM 130a and the IM 130b has started communication with each
other (step S1605).

[0120]As above described, the controllers 100a and 100b are included in
the web server 8. Accordingly, the SIP/service management server 12
notifies to the web server 8 in appearance at step S1605. However, the
controllers 100a and 100b may have different URI. Specifically, the
controller 100a and the controller 100b have a same IP address but have
different port numbers, for example. Accordingly, at step S1605, the
SIP/service management server 12 notifies the start of communication to
each of the controllers 100a and 100b.

[0121]The controllers 100a and 100b, which have received start of
communication between the IM 130a and the IM 130b, conduct steps S908 and
S907 of the first example embodiment in the web server 8, and recognize
available services (step S1606). Then, the controllers 100a and 100b
transmits information of available services to the PC 5a and PC 5b
respectively (step S1607), wherein information of available services is
to be displayed on the LCD 60, for example.

[0122]The PC 5a, which has received information of available services,
displays content of available services on the LCD 60 via the browser 120
(step S1608). Further, the PC 5b, which has received information of
available services, displays content of available services on the LCD 60
via the browser 120 (step S1609). At steps S1608 and S1609, GUI used in
the first example embodiment (see FIG. 11) can be used.

[0123]A user operates a GUI displayed on the PC 5a to transmit an
instruction information to the controller 100a disposed in the web server
8, wherein such instruction information is used to instruct a start of
voice communication, which may use the IP phone 6 (step S1610). Then, the
controller 100a recognizes the instruction of starting voice
communication between the IP phones 6a and 6b. Then, the controller 100a
transmits a connection request for the IP phones 6a and 6b to the
SIP/service management server 12 (step S1611). At step S1611, the
controller 100a transmits URI information of the IP phones 6a and 6b to
request a connection.

[0124]When the SIP/service management server 12 receives the connection
request, the SIP service management server 12 obtains IP address and port
number corresponding to the notified URI by referring URI solution
information stored in the SIP/service management server 12. Then, the
SIP/service management server 12 conducts a session notification to the
IP phones 6a and 6b (step S1612). Then, the IP phones 6a and 6b can start
to communicate with each other (step S1613, step S1614). Such IP phones
may be controlled or managed using 3PCC (3rd party call control), for
example. A phone system having 3PCC function can easily realize the above
described example embodiments. When a voice communication using IP phone
has started, the communication using the IM 130a and IM 130b may be ended
or terminated, as required.

[0125]As above described, in the communication management system of the
second example embodiment, a web server includes a function of controller
100. Such configuration may not need to add a new device in a user
network such as networks A and B, by which such configuration can be
realized with simpler configuration.

[0126]In a third example embodiment, a function of the web server 8 in the
second example embodiment is included in a management server 2. In the
first, second, and third example embodiments, same or similar reference
numbers or characters are used for same or similar units, devices, or the
like. A description of the second example embodiment is described
hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 17 to 19.

[0127]FIG. 17 shows a configuration of the communication management system
according to the third example embodiment. As shown in FIG. 17, a
web/service management server 28, which includes a function of the
service management server 2 of the first example embodiment and a
function of the web server 8 of the second example embodiment, is
provided. Further, a printer 9 may be coupled or connected to the network
B as a network device. Other elements are similar as the second example
embodiment.

[0128]In the third example embodiment, a function of service management
server and a function of web server providing a controller are included
in a same server, which is the web/service management server 28.
Accordingly, a registration process for related-information described in
the first example embodiment (see FIG. 6) may not be required because
information can be registered to the web/service management server 28
when a user registers communication device information via a browser.
FIG. 18 shows example of communication device information. As shown in
FIG. 18, the communication device information may include information
shown in FIG. 4 and further include "area" information, wherein the
"area" indicates a name of network that a given device is disposed.

[0129]A description is now given to an example operation process of the
communication management system according to the third example embodiment
with reference to FIG. 19. FIG. 19 shows another sequence chart of the
communication management system. As shown in FIG. 19, the process from
steps S901 to S904 shown in FIG. 9 for the first example embodiment are
conducted until the IP phones 6a and 6b start to communicate (steps
S1903, step S1904).

[0130]Then, the SIP server 1 notifies to the web/service management server
28 that the IP phones 6a and 6b have started communication with each
other (step S1905) as similar to step S905 of FIG. 9.

[0131]After receiving such notice of communication-start, as similar to
step S1606 in FIG. 16, the web/service management server 28 conducts
processes of steps S908 and S907 of the first example embodiment, and
recognizes available services (step S1906). Then, the web/service
management server 28 transmits information of available services to the
PC 5a and PC 5b respectively (step S1907), wherein such information is to
be displayed on the LCD 60, for example.

[0132]The PC 5a, which has received information of available services,
displays content of available services on the LCD 60 via the browser 120
(step S1908). Further, the PC 5b, which has received information of
available services, displays content of available services on the LCD 60
via the browser 120 (step S1909). At steps S1908 and step S1909, GUI used
in the first example embodiment (see FIG. 11) may be used.

[0133]A user operates GUI displayed on the PC 5a to transmit a given
instruction information to the web/service management server 28 to
confirm status of the printer 9 (step S1910). When the web/service
management server 28 receives such instruction information, the
web/service management server 28 recognizes an instruction of start of
communication between the browser 120 of PC 5a (hereinafter, the browser
120a) and the printer 9. Then, the web/service management server 28
transmits a connection request of the browser 120a and the printer 9 to
the SIP server 1 (step S1911).

[0134]When the SIP server 1 receives the connection request, the SIP
server 1 obtains IP address and port number corresponding to the notified
URI by referring URI solution information stored in the SIP server 1.
Then, the SIP server 1 conducts a session notification to the browser
120a and the printer 9 (step S1912), by which the browser 120a and the
printer 9 can start to communicate with each other (step S1913, S1914).

[0135]In the above-described configuration, a user (e.g., service person)
of the network A can be informed of the status information of the printer
9. With such a configuration, the user of the network A can easily check
the status of the printer 9 after a voice communication has started with
another user using the network B. With such a configuration, the user of
the network A can monitor the printer 9 effectively, and can conduct
support works for the printer 9 efficiently.

[0136]A description is now given to a fourth example embodiment with
reference to FIG. 20. FIG. 20 shows another configuration of
communication management system according to the fourth example
embodiment, wherein a data storage 11 is connected to a network, which is
different from the configuration shown in FIG. 13. For example, the
communication device information storage 101a of the controller 100a
disposed in the web server 8 stores communication device information set
for the data storage 11. In FIG. 20, a user of the PC 5a can use the data
storage 11 as a memory device via the browser 120.

[0137]As similar to the process of FIG. 16, when the IM 130a and IM 130b
start to communicate with each other, the LCD 60 of PC 5b can display
that data sharing service using the data storage 11 is available by using
functions of the SIP/service management server 12 and the web server 8.
As similar to the third example embodiment, URI of the data storage 11 is
identified by URL (uniform resource locator). With such a configuration,
a user of the PC 5a and another user of the PC 5b can easily share data.

[0138]In the first to third example embodiments, services provided by
network devices connected to the networks A and B can be shared as above
described. In the fourth example embodiment (see FIG. 20), as similar to
the first to third example embodiments, consolidated management can be
conducted by registering information to a communication device
information storage even if the data storage 11 is connected to the
Internet as a network device.

[0139]As above described, a network configuration, which can link services
between multiple different communication devices can be realized with
simpler configuration.

[0140]Numerous additional modifications and variations are possible in
light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that
within the scope of the appended claims, the disclosure of the present
invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described
herein. For example, elements and/or features of different examples and
illustrative embodiments may be combined each other and/or substituted
for each other within the scope of this disclosure and appended claims.